Cited by 230Eating Disorders and BehaviorsBody Image and Dysmorphia StudiesNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

The developmental effects of media-ideal internalization and self-objectification processes on adolescents’ negative body-feelings, dietary restraint, and binge eating

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Dakanalis, Antonios, Carrà, Giuseppe, Calogero, Rachel, Fida, Roberta, Clerici, Massimo, Zanetti, Maria Assunta, Riva, Giuseppe·2015·European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

Despite accumulated experimental evidence of the negative effects of exposure to media-idealized images, the degree to which body image, and eating related disturbances are caused by media portrayals of gendered beauty ideals remains controversial. On the basis of the most up-to-date meta-analysis of experimental studies indicating that media-idealized images have the most harmful and substantial impact on vulnerable individuals regardless of gender (i.e., "internalizers" and "self-objectifiers"), the current longitudinal study examined the direct and mediated links posited in objectification theory among media-ideal internalization, self-objectification, shame and anxiety surrounding the body and appearance, dietary restraint, and binge eating. Data collected from 685 adolescents aged between 14 and 15 at baseline (47 % males), who were interviewed and completed standardized measures annually over a 3-year period, were analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach. Results indicated that media-ideal internalization predicted later thinking and scrutinizing of one's body from an external observer's standpoint (or self-objectification), which then predicted later negative emotional experiences related to one's body and appearance. In turn, these negative emotional experiences predicted subsequent dietary restraint and binge eating, and each of these core features of eating disorders influenced each other. Differences in the strength of these associations across gender were not observed, and all indirect effects were significant. The study provides valuable information about how the cultural values embodied by gendered beauty ideals negatively influence adolescents' feelings, thoughts and behaviors regarding their own body, and on the complex processes involved in disordered eating. Practical implications are discussed.

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  1. Dakanalis A (2014) Body image and Axis I Disorders: a series of validation, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies on com- munity and clinical sample: a series of validation studies on com- munity and clinical samples. Dissertation, University of Pavia

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Authors
Dakanalis, A., Carrà, G., Calogero, R., Fida, R., Clerici, M., Zanetti, M. A., & Riva, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Pavia (IT)
  • University College London (GB)
  • University of Kent (GB)
  • Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
  • University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
  • Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
Corresponding author
Dakanalis, Antonios
Venue
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Published
2014-11-22
Volume
24
Issue
8
Pages
997-1010
ISSN
  • 1018-8827 (ISSN-L)
  • 1435-165X
OpenAlex
W2027890034
Cited by
230
References
89
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2
FWCI
18.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (acceptedVersion)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
  • UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Università degli Studi di Pavia
  • Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
self-objectification, objectification theory, body image, body shame, body image anxiety, dietary restraint, binge eating, disordered eating, media exposure, adolescents, gender differences
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Advertising, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Image, Bulimia, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mass Media, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Shame, Social Values, Bulimia Nervosa, Young Adult, Binge-Eating Disorder

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